Chlorine inhalator



Aug. 23, 1949. sc 2,479,967

CHLORINE INHALATOR Filed NOV. 15, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet l Patented Aug.23, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CHLORINE INHALATOR Frank M. Risch,St. Louis, Mo.

Application November 15, 1946, Serial No. 709,984

2 Claims. 1

This invention relates to therapeutic devices and more particularly totherapeutic inhalant generators.

Among the several objects of this invention may be noted the provisionof a therapeutic device that dispenses electrolytically generated gasesfor medicinal application; the provision of a therapeutic device thatmay be simply and accurately controlled and is convenient forprescription by the medical profession; the provision of a therapeuticdevice of the class described which may operate from standard currentand in which the important circuit voltages are physiologically Safe;the provision of a therapeutic device in which the phases of gasgeneration are visually indicated; and the provision of a therapeuticdevice of the class indicated which is compact, reliable and economical.Other objects will be in part apparent and in part pointed outherelnafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the elements and combinations ofelements, features of construction, and arrangements of parts which willbe exemplified in the structures hereinafter described, and the scope ofthe application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which one of various possibleembodiments of the invention is illustrated,

Fig. l is a front elevation of a housing for the device of theinvention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation;

Fig. 3 is a rear view with a back panel removed, wiring being omittedfor clarity;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken along line 44 of Fig. 1; and,

Fig. 5 is a wiring diagram of the electrical components.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout theseveral views of the drawings.

Referring now to the drawings, numeral I indicates a portable consolecase comprising a base 3, a rear panel 5, a top panel I, a front panel9, end panels l9, and a control and indicator panel H. The latter ismounted at a convenient angle with and adjoining the panels 1 and. 9. Inthe front panel 9 is a centrally recessed compartment l3 to permit aclear view of a transparent electrolyte container l5 which by means ofan airtight cap I! is detachably affixed to the under side of the top ofrecess l3. The cap I1 is fastened permanently to the top of the recessI3. Two electrodes, an anode l9 and a cathode 2|, are also afiixed tothe underside of the top 2 of recess l3. They extend through and areinsulated from the top 2 and cap II. A blower 23 is mounted on base 3 inthe interior of the console I and is provided with an air inlet 25 and asection of tubing 26 which serves to conduct the output air stream tothe electrolyte container I5. The electrolyte container I5 is alsoprovided with an outlet, including flexible tubing 21 equipped with anozzle 29 for dispensing the electrolytically generated gas and airmixture. An illuminating lamp 30 is mounted in line with a hole 32 in arear panel 4 of recess l3 and is adapted to illuminate the electrolyte,as Well as the action within the electrolyte of container I5.

Visible through refracting glass buttons 6 from the exterior of consoleI and mounted on the underside of control and indicator panel H arethree signal lamps. These include a blower indicator lamp 3| adapted toindicate the energization of blower 23 by a blower power switch 33; amaster pilot lamp 35 adapted to be energized by a master power switch31; and a generator indicator lamp 39 adapted to indicate theenergization of the electrodes l9 and 2| by a generator switch 4|. Theswitches 33, 31 and 4| are mounted on and extend through the control andindicator panel I Also aflixed to the underside of the control andindicator panel H are two rheostats, a generator control rheostat 42adapted to adjust the potential difference between electrodes l9 and 2|,and a blower speed control rheostat 43 adapted to vary the speed of theblower 23.

Power is supplied to the console and components by a cable 41 includingtwo wires 49 and 5|, which may be connected to an ordinary volt A. C.source. A rectifier unit 45 adapted to energize the blower 23 and theelectrodes is and 2| is mounted on base 3 in the interior of console I.The rectifier unit 45 is supplied with alternating current by means ofwires 53 and 55 and the low-voltage D, C. output of the rectifier isderived from wires 51 and. 59. Rectifier 45 is protected from anyoverload by a fuse l6.

Referring now to the wiring diagram of Fig. 5, alternating current issupplied through lines 49 and 5| to the rectifier unit 45 through acircuit consisting of wire 49, switch 31, wire 15, wire 55, atransformer coil 6|, wire 53 and wire 5|. The electrolyte illuminatinglamp 30 and the master pilot lamp 35 are connected in parallel with eachother by means of wires 15 and 11. Hence these lamps 30 and 35 are inparallel with the input circuit to the rectifier unit 45, beingenergized only with rectifier unit 45 and by the action of 3 the masterpower switch 31. The lamps and 3.5 are of the 110' volt type.

The rectifier unit 45 includes the step-down transformer coils 6i and 62and a rectifying component 63. The low-voltage D. C. output 6 volts, forexample) of the rectifier unit 45 is impressed across the electrodes [9and 2!. The circuit to the electrode 2! is completed directly throughwires 59 and 60. lhe circuit to the electrode is includes Wire 57, wire35, generator switch 4!, generator control rheostat 42 and wire 61. Thegenerator indicator lamp 39 is connected in parallel with electrodes l9,2! and the rheostat 42. The electrodes and the lamp will be energizedonly when the gas generator switch 4! is closed. The action of lamp 3ais thus independent of the action of the generator control rheostat 42but dependent upon the generator switch 4|. 7

The circuit of blower motor 23 includes wires 59, 69, blower 23, wire1!, blower speed control rheostat 43, blower power switch 33, wire 73and wire 51. The blower indicator lamp 3| is connected in parallel withthe blower 23 and rheostat 43 and is energized only when the blowerpower switch 33 is closed. The blower indicator lamp 3! is independentof the action of blower speed control rheostat 43 but dependent upon theblower control switch 33.

The lamps 3| and 39 are of the low-voltage type, being energized by thevoltage impressed across electrodes 19 and 2! The following operatingprocedure is illustrative. The electrolyte container I5 is detached fromthe airtight cap I! and is partially filled with an electrolyte. theelectrolyte used may be a solution of sodium chloride and water. Thesolution may be made to any desired concentration but a saturatedsolution is preferable. The container I5 is then reaifixed to the cap I!and the supply line 4? is energized by alternating current. The masterpower switch 31 is then closed, which energizes the master pilot lampand the electrolyte illuminating lamp 39. The blower power switch 33 maythen be closed, energizing the blower indicator lamp 3! and the blower23. The speed of the blower 23 may then be controlled by adjustment ofthe blower speed control rheostat 43. Air will be drawn through theinlet 25 (Fig. 4) as indicated by arrows 79. This air will be deliveredthrough tubing 26 to the interior of the electrolyte container l5, asindicated by arrows 8 l.

The generator switch 4| is then closed, which energizes the generatorindicator lamp 39 and the electrodes I9 and 2|. The potential appliedacross electrodes l9 and 2| may be controlled by the adjustment of thegeneratorcontrol rheostat 42. With a D. C. potential applied across theelectrodes 19 and 2|, which are immersed in the salt solution, thefolowing chemical reaction'will occur:

Elect. 2NaCl+2HaO H: I 2NaOH+Clz I The chlorine generated by the abovereaction will be liberated as a gas at the anode l9 and the gaseoushydrogen will be liberated at the cathode 2|. These gaseous productswill be thoroughly mixed with the air circulating in the unfilledportion'of the electrolyte container l5 and will be forced throughtubing 21 and nozzle 23, as indicated by arrows 83.

Complete control of the velocity of the mixed gaseous output of nozzle29 is controlled by the adjustment of the blower speed control rheostatFor purposes of illustration 43, while the amount of chlorine generatedis controlled by the adjustment of the generator control rheostat 42.For example, if a high concentration of chlorine is desired in the gasstream of nozzle 29, the rheostat 42 is adjusted to minimum resistance.Similarly, if a maximum concentration of air is desired in the outputgaseous mixture of nozzle 29, the rheostat 43 is adjusted to minimumresistance. It is to be understood that there is a cooperativeinteraction between the adjustments of rheostats 42 and 43 incontrolling the medicinal gas concentration at the outlet of nozzle 29.For example, if the generator rheostat 42 is set to any desiredadjustment and the blower speed control rheostat 43 is varied, theamount of chlorine generated will remain constant but the chlorineconcentration at the outlet of nozzle II will vary directly with theefiective resistance of rheostat 43.

The electrolyte in container I5 is illuminated by lamp 30 and the amountof chlorine generated may be determined visually by the quantity andactivity of the gas bubbles around the electrodes 19 and 2 I. It is tobe understood that electrolytes other than a solution of sodium chlorideand water may be used. Any electrolyte from which gases of therapeuticvalue can be generated by electrolysis is usable in this device. It hasbeen found that a Mallory battery booster, type 30, satisfactorilyfulfills the requirements for the transformer and rectifier 45 of thepresent invention. This converts -120 volt, 60 cycle A. C. to 6 volt D.C., consuming about 50 watts at 4-2 amperes. This type of apparatus isdescribed in U. S. Patent 1,751,359, but equivalents may of course beused. Although the circuit as shown in Fig. 5 utilizes alternatingcurrent as a source of power, a storage battery could be substituted forthe rectifier unit 45.

The gaseous mixture of chlorine generated may advantageously be used(for example) to relieve nasal congestion, and can be simply andaccurately controlled by the physician or another person with the aid ofthe visual indication described above.

The device is very convenient for self-medication by a patient. This isbecause the electrolytic action in said container is visible by lightfrom said lamp through said opening by a person for whom medicinal gasis being dispensed from said flexible outlet while said person may reachthe controls. Furthermore, the quick-detachable connection from theoutside of the case for the electrolyte container in a position in whichthe bubbling electrolytic action is visible, is a great convenience.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of theinvention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As many changes could be made in the above constructions withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention, it is intended that allmatter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanyingdrawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense.

I claim:

1. A chlorine inhalator for generating a medicinal gas comprising aportable case, a control panel thereon, a front on said case having arecessed compartment open to the outside of the case, insulated andfixedly mounted electrodes extending downward into said compartment andinsulated therefrom, a transparent container for an electrolytic saltsolution, quick-detachable means for attachment of said container to thetop of the recess and around said electrodes, said compartment having anopening located behind an attached container, a signal lamp within thecase and behind said opening, an electric air blower within the casehaving an inlet attachment to said quick-detachable connection, saidquick-detachable connection having a flexible-tube outlet for dispensinggas, rectifier means within the case for supplying lowvoltage directcurrent to the electric blower and to the electrodes from a relativelyhigh-voltage A. C. source, rheostat control means in the case for theelectrodes and for the blower and controllable from said panel,independent signal means on the panel for the blower and the electrodes,independent switch means on the panel for the blower and the electrodesand their respective signal means, master switch means on the panel forcontrolling energization of said rectifier from said A. C. source, andan independent signal means on the panel associated with said masterswitch means to indicate energization of said rectifier, said lampbehind said opening being energized directly from said A. C. source whenthe master switch is closed.

A chlorine inhalator for generating a medicinal gas comprising aportable case, a control panel thereon, a front on said case having arecessed compartment open to the outside of the case, insulated andfixedly mounted electrodes extending downward into said compartment andinsulated therefrom, a transparent container for an electrolytic saltsolution, quick-detachable means tor attachment of said container to thetop of the recess and around said electrodes, said compartment having anopening located behind an attached container, a signal lamp within thecase and behind said opening, an electric air blower within the casehaving an inlet attachment to said quick-detachable connection, saidquick-cletachab1e connection having a flexibletube outlet for dispensinggas, rectifier means within the case for supplying low-voltage directcurrent to the electrodes from a relatively highvoltage A. C. source,rheostat control means in the case for the electrodes and controllablefrom said panel, independent signal means on the panel for indicatingenergization of the blower and the electrodes, independent switch meanson the panel for the blower and the electrodes and their respectivesignal means, master switch means on the panel for controllingenergization of said rectifier from said A. C. source, and anindependent signal means on the panel associated with said master switchmeans to indicate energization of said rectifier, said lamp behind saidopening being energized directly from said A. C. source when the masterswitch is closed.

FRANK M. RISCH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,256,212 Morrison Sept. 16, 1941

